D1Softball Places Mallory Wheeler on D100 Freshman Watch List

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Softball freshman pitcher Mallory Wheeler has been named to the D100 Freshman Watch List, as announced by D1Softball on Wednesday (January 8, 2025).

The D100 Freshman Watch List puts an early spotlight on freshmen who could make an immediate impact on their respective teams this spring.

It's a true watch list where players are listed alphabetically by team with no numbered rankings attached. The 2025 D100 Freshman Watch List includes players representing 50 different programs.

Each week during the college softball season, D1Softball will award a National Freshman of the Week. A Freshman All-American team will be announced and awarded following the regular season.

Wheeler arrived at Louisiana in the Fall 2024 semester after wrapping up a stellar prep career at Jensen Beach (Fla.) High School. She recorded 700-plus strikeouts over 470-1/3 innings of work during her prep career, closing with back-to-back seasons with at least 250 strikeouts recorded, and crafted 42 victories for Jensen Beach.

A 2024 TCPalm All-Area Softball team selection and the 2023 Treasure Coast Player of the Year, Wheeler's senior season was highlighted by a career-best 17 wins, 253 more strikeouts recorded (produced over 166 innings) and a second consecutive sub-1.30 ERA.

"When she got here this fall, she hit 70 a couple of times and her ball was moving," head coach Alyson Habetz said. "And I think she still has a lot left in the tank. She was on a new level at the end of the fall and if she can sustain that, she can give us some really good innings as a freshman."

Wheeler and the Ragin' Cajuns open up the 2025 season next month when they host the 39th Annual Louisiana Classics at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park from February 6-9. Louisiana is scheduled to meet Seton Hall at 6:00 p.m. on the opening day of the tournament (Feb. 6), officially beginning the Alyson Habetz era.

ABOUT LOUISIANA
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball program's rich tradition includes six Women's College World Series appearances, eight NCAA Super Regional berths and 33 NCAA Regional appearances which ranks as seventh-most in NCAA history.

Louisiana (45-19, 22-2 SBC in 2024), the five-time reigning Sun Belt Conference regular season champions, made its 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance last spring which was highlighted by a national seed (No. 13) and host site at Lamson Park.

The Ragin' Cajuns are currently preparing for the 2025 season which marks the first under Alyson Habetz's guidance. A celebrated Ragin' Cajuns student-athlete and renowned softball coach, she was named the fifth head coach in Louisiana Softball's storied history on June 25, 2024.

A native of nearby Crowley, Louisiana, Habetz ascends to the head coach ranks in her hometown area of the Acadiana region. A basketball and softball player for the Ragin' Cajuns from 1990-95, she returns to where her impactful contributions to women's athletics began.

Louisiana Softball season ticket are currently on sale, outfield general admission seating only, available for purchase online at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685). Fans can also support the softball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through the Krewe Allons NIL Collective (click here).

FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.

Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.

- www.RaginCajuns.com -

D1Softball Places Mallory Wheeler on D100 Freshman Watch List

Players Mentioned

Mallory Wheeler

Footer

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics